§ Mr. BROADasked the Postmaster-General the circumstances under which gratuity was refused to J. W. Walker, who was employed by his Department for seven years and three months as a temporary sorter in the London postal service, East-Central and Foreign Sections, and was discharged on the 1st January, 1922, on account of reduction of work, his conduct and performance of duty being satisfactory; and whether, 2965W seeing that such gratuities were provided by Act of Parliament for those in Government employment other than pensionable officers, he will say by what authority they are now being withheld from sections of those who have served the qualifying period and have been discharged on reduction?
Mr. CKAMBERLAINMr. Walker was one of a number of men who were engaged during the War in a temporary capacity to replace officers absent with the Forces, and who were discharged on the resumption of normal conditions. I regret that such employés are not eligible for gratuities under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act of 1887.